title: Effects of Kamikihi-To, a traditional Chinese medicine, on behavioral changes induced by methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate in mice and rats.
abstract: The effects of Kamikihi-To (KMK), a traditional Chinese medicine, on behavioral changes induced by methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCM) were evaluated in mice and rats. Beta-CCM, an anxiogenic benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist (3.0 mg/kg, i.v. administered 1 min before the test), decreased the locomotor activity of mice in a novel environment. Furthermore, beta-CCM (0.1 mg/kg, i.v. administered 10 min before the test) facilitated the suppression of drinking behavior induced by punishment in the water lick conflict test in rats. KMK (1.0 and 2.0 g/kg, p.o. administered 1 hr before the test) antagonized the decreased locomotor activity in the beta-CCM-treated mice. KMK (2.0 g/kg, p.o.) also recovered the suppression of drinking behavior in the beta-CCM-treated rats. KMK (2.0 g/kg, p.o.) had no effect on beta-CCM-untreated mice and rats in these tests. These findings suggest that KMK has a protective effect against beta-CCM-induced behavioral changes.
authors.affiliation: Kampo (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Research Laboratories, Kanebo, Ltd., Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishizawa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002243:Carbolines; D003292:Convulsants; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002243:Carbolines; D003292:Convulsants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C073747:kamikihi-to; C036150:beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester; D003975:Diazepam